Why aren’t there more Indigenous foods in Canadian grocery stores? – The Narwhal

Jan. 7, 2026

Indigenous foods are varied, delicious and plentiful — but getting them to customers can be a challenge for small producers

Walking down the aisles of one of Canada’s major groceries, it’s rare to see Indigenous food products. Even in smaller, independently-owned retailers, they are still few and far between. Fish might be from Alaska and seaweed from Japan, despite being plentiful on the coast of British Columbia and harvested by local First Nations. There are many Canadian products big and small, but Indigenous producers, as well as their local traditional foods, are rare. Where are the Indigenous goods?

Food is a unique gateway for bridging cultures and building understanding, and picking up a package of bannock mix or candied salmon is a tangible way of supporting Indigenous economies. For those seeking them, they’re not too hard to find at gift shops and independent markets, and directly purchasing from Indigenous businesses online and in person is an option too. But it left me wondering — what does it take to get Indigenous foods into grocery stores? And is the effort worth it for the companies?

Read More: https://thenarwhal.ca/indigenous-foods-grocery-stores/